Pre-Pay plans offer a growing attractiveness to young adults; with a strong following among young adults attending college since there is comfort found with tight control on student spending. Additional minutes are added easily by purchasing a ‘chit’ of PIN number usually at $20, $30 and 50 dollar increments, which the user then keys into their phone unit.

Until recently, users purchased plastic cards from retail stores. Now minutes can also be purchased at the register with the PIN provided as a paper receipt.  This practice is much more environmentally friendly but apparently not enough for some.  Perhaps well intentioned, one nationally recognized electronics retailer now has a system in place that eliminates the plastic card and the paper receipt.  Good idea you think?  On the surface yes, but the devil is in the detail.

In order to provide the uber-conservation friendly service, this well know retailer requires you provide the number of the cell phone to which minutes are being added.  Your cell phone number is then keyed into the retailer’s customer database and only then can additional minutes be added to your phone.  Can you hear the security alarm bells ringing?  When was it decided that in order to make cash purchases you have to disclose what should be regarded as personal information?

Closely protecting personal information is imperative to sound personal protection and security practices. If you are a student, you have enough to concern yourself with. Don’t be lulled into believing that you are required to disclose personal information to anyone for any cause; especially information that is collected for reasons that are not entirely clear.  The idea that your personal phone number will be collected and placed into a non-governmental database should spark you to politely gather your belongings and headed straight for the nearest exit.

Pre-pay phone plans offer benefit to many who elect to use them and can add to our safety and peace of mind.  Just remember to use them wisely, as with any other phone, and guard your personal information and identity like a hawk.  And if you wish to be environmentally responsible, paper receipts will do just fine, provided of course, they are printed from recycled products.  Stay Safe!

The arrival of a healthy newborn is a blessing recognized the world over.  Across the globe the birth of a child ushers in all manner of celebration from very festive events to simple respite where mother, father and child bond during a modest period of seclusion.

Soon thereafter, parents elect to share their joy with extended family and friends, usually sending photographs by the most expedient means—the internet.

Given the undeniable ease and affordability that this manner of sharing brings to our finger tips, it is understandable how this manner of sending photos to acquaintances has become so popularized. However, there are some extremely important facts that must be reviewed before transmitting photographs of children or posting them on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter (via Twitpic), MySpace and others.

Consider the origin of the photograph.  Parents often choose professional studio sessions for baby’s first photos.  These usually produce quality images of junior’s first smiles or punkin embracing her favorite cuddle toy.  It is important that backdrops are void of any identifying details.  There should be no information within the actual frame that can be used to trace and locate the subject(s) of the sitting.

If a professional photographer is used it is important to understand contractual agreements and ensure that your privacy concerns will be met.  In most instances, you purchase prints only from a studio while the image itself is owned by the photographer or her firm.  You’ll be justly thrilled to hear just how cute your child is but can be equally mortified to discover that your child’s image was sold to a marketing campaign without your prior knowledge or authorization. Read the fine print and avoid misunderstandings and irrevocable activity that may expose your child to security threat.

In order to exercise greater control over images of your child, consider taking those first photos yourself in a private setting.  Start with an easy to use digital camera. Your choice does not need to be expensive or loaded with features, but unless you will be using computer software that permits image manipulation, then your camera should be equipped with internal settings that allow control of image size.  Generally, photographs intended for sharing over the internet should be small.  This not only aids in speeding up the online transmission process, it also prevents anyone from capturing the photo and enlarging it without significant distortion.

Photo size is essential for the following reasons.

1. Without getting overly technical, it is important to understand that an increase in pixel size translates to increased image clarity.  The clearer an image, the more it can be enlarged to produce detail that is otherwise non-discernable.   When put into the context of eliminating features that can lead to the identity of the infant(s) in a photograph—birthmarks as one example—the importance of preventing this occurrence becomes apparent.  Remember; always think in terms of your child’s safety first!

2.  Conversely, photographs intended for identification purposes only should be taken in a larger format or pixel size.  Parents know best of their child’s unique features and should work to capture them digitally as the child passes through their formative years.  A good practice is to maintain several high-quality images of a child’s facial features, capturing images of joy and melancholy if possible.  Ensure to capture features such as hairline, eyes, ears and nose profiles. Also, do not overlook any distinguishing features such as skin moles, birthmarks or any unique characteristics. Photos such as those described here should only be made available to law enforcement or private investigators in the event of a child’s disappearance, or the identify of a child must be established.

The birth of a child is a true blessing and perhaps one of the fondest memories that parents shall forever cherish.  You can help ensure that the environment to which your newborn develops remains safe, by guarding your baby’s image with an understanding of the hidden dangers that accompany internet file sharing.

Defensive Countermeasures offers workshops for parents and childcare health providers that are geared toward developing a safe and secure environment for baby to grow.  Contact us for more information.  Stay Safe!

1. When setting up the initial visit, insist that the contractor provide you with a time of arrival. Private contactors should be able narrow the arrival time down to within an hour; say, between 1:00-2:00 pm. Larger businesses may balk at specifics. In those cases, ask the person whom you arrange the visit through to provide the name of the employee responding to the call, and make a note. If you are unfamiliar with the firm, ask the operator for a description of the company vehicle. Upon arrival, the information given should check out. When in doubt, ask for positive identification, such as a driver’s license or company ID. Never let the arrival into your home when there is uncertainty.

2. Provide instruction to your contractor how to approach your home. A contractor should never be instructed to approach any area other than the main entrance to your home or office. Unless there is a risk of injury unsafe stairs or deck, for example a contractor should always be directed to the front or main entrance.

3. Prepare you home before the arrival. Expect that you will need to show the area where the work is to be preformed. Also give some thought to the route you will lead the contractor along to the worksite. The path should be well lit and free of obstacles. Tightly close doors to adjoining rooms to discourage curiosity and disclosing the layout of your home. It may be necessary to leave the contractor to conduct the work but make a point to peer in at regular intervals to ensure that he remains on task. It is also a very good idea to inspect the areas the contractor entered after departing your home. Look to ensure that nothing is out of place. Check that windows and outside doors have not been unlocked.

4. During the preliminary estimate or after the job is complete, a flat surface is often needed to review documents or provide payment for services rendered. Have this location prepared in advance and keep information on a need to know basis and strictly at a business level. Keep your communication on a professional basis at all times and do not allow yourself to become too friendly with the contractor you are working with. The space should be clear of personal papers, such as bank statements, schedules or photographs. This eliminates the risk to these items being intentionally or unintentionally mixed in with the contractor’s brochures, invoices and your check when he departs.

Other tips to consider

You may also find it useful to have someone else with you in your home during the contractor’s visit. If this is not possible consider having the volume of a radio or television playing softly behind one of the closed doors. Briefly phoning a friend within earshot of the contractor making certain to explain that Bob from Plumber World is presently working in your home and you will return her call after work is complete. I know of one woman who goes to the trouble preparing a light snack for the occupant watching TV behind one of the closed doors whenever a stranger must enter her home. What is incredibly ingenious about this is that she lives alone and smart as a whip.

Finally, if the project is going to be long term, you’ll need to set some ground rules. Identify to the contractor what floors and rooms he will have access to. He must be told in no uncertain terms. You must also expect that he will require the use of a bathroom from time to time. If possible, one on the floor where the work is being completed is perfectly acceptable. Keep it as sparse as possible. Throw in some personal hygiene items associated with men for good measure like aftershave or gun oil. The choice is yours. Stay Safe!

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Your sport is one in which millions of Americans enjoy. Many find the exhilaration from a bike ride through the countryside or a leisurely paced run through city parks or along rural pathways as a pleasure that is without equal. Each offer excellent cardio vascular exercise, as well as an opportunity to escape the stresses that may otherwise impact lives.

While these activities are enjoyable, worthwhile endeavors they also require some common sense practices that take into account your personal safety and security. What each of the activities has in common is that they eventually lead you away from a point of departure. Generally speaking, the physical space we occupy with our presence offers the greatest degree of security. Your home or your automobile are just two such examples. As threats to our safety materialize, one means of countering danger is to move to an alternate location, ideally one that limits vulnerabilities, or at least makes them more manageable.

Consider for a moment a vehicle motorcade engaged with the safe movement of a protected entity. Again as a general rule, the formation has three elements: the advance element, the main body and a follow-on element. The main body has a degree of safety in the space it occupies. As the motorcade begins to move to its destination, the lead element has responsibility of securing all areas the main body will occupy or otherwise pass through. The follow-on element protects against any security breach from the rear of the formation and may also serve to secure an area for the main body in the event a significant threat materializes and a safe area of retreat is needed.

With outdoor activities, such as jogging or cycling, we often begin with a departure from a relatively safe area lightly equipped to fend off an attacker, be it man or beast. Moreover, the nature of these sports compels us to overtake uncleared space as we advance along the route, thus reducing needed reaction time should a threat occur. Unless you consider a bicycle pump or a size 12 running shoe as defensive tools, you, like most others, rely heavily on the senses to alert you to dangers that may be encountered and to formulate evasive or defensive measures should the need arise. This is a reasonable option and is the basis for understanding the importance of remaining vigilant.

Unfortunately, one scenario that can be seen time and time again is runners and cyclists wearing audio headphones and keeping pace with the aid of 10 gigabytes of tunes saved on their IPod. If you ever what to signal “distracted and vulnerable” to an assailant, there is better way then by huffing and puffing while bobbing your head to the beat of some former American Idol contestant. Chance are better than even that at some point you’ll step off a curb or ride directly in the path of some similarly distracted motorist who is listening to the same Idol singer as you are. Not the type of meeting that leads to “Happily ever after.”

Dispense with the headphones. Unless you’re running with a pack of Secret Service agents at your heels, you’re traveling much too lightly in most instances to defend yourself, unless of course, you can outrun your attacker. Your senses need to be heightened and remain sharp.

–Instead, try finding a partner who enjoys the sport as much as you, someone you can rely on to keep an activity schedule that works for you. Together you can increase your degree of vigilance and reduce vulnerability. In addition, the time may prove to be more enjoyable if you find someone to share it with. Another benefit comes from the subtle competition that occurs between you and your partner and the discovery that she or he is wheezing just as hard as you are.

–Know the route and let others know it too. Drive as much of the route as possible beforehand becoming as familiar with it as possible. Look for blind spots, low lying or wooded areas. Also, remain alert for designated parking areas or rest spots along your route where vehicles may remain parked for periods of time without raising suspicions. These are danger points for joggers, hikers and others; particularly if traveling alone and on the fringes of populated areas. When you are able to describe to others the route from start to finish, you’ll have done your homework. Be sure to plan enough time for your outing that allows you a return to your safe area well before night falls. If you need to cut the run or ride short, then so be it or put it off for another day.

–During the outing, keep alert for others along your trail. If your route is one well-known and exclusive to runners, your sense of security should immediately heighten if you come into contact with anyone who does not fit the normal activity profile. Always maintain a 360 degree of awareness from start to finish. If running alone don’t push yourself to the point of physical exhaustion. You’ll be physically less able to fend off an attacker if you are overtaxed and out of breath. And since you will be short-winded your ability to yell or scream for assistance will be at its limits also. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a whistle with you. Invest in one that uses a plastic or wood ball which can be found at most sporting good stores. Pair this with a detachable lanyard and you’ll be in business.

Lastly, we encourage you to cast off any mind set of “It won’t happen to me.” Be vigilant; be prudent; but don’t be so overconfident that you take off for a jog or bike ride with a naive sense of security. It’s difficult to be taken by surprise when you are well prepared while enjoying your favorite sport. Now turn off the computer, set down your book and lace up your shoes and then head outside into the fresh Spring air. It only comes around once a year. Be safe!

Make it a habit to always look inside your vehicle prior to opening the door. Whether it is day or night, locked or unlocked, parked in your garage or parked in public,  always look first.

Tinted windows?  Then get right up to the glass and peer in. You would not likely jump into a swimming pool without checking to see if there is water in there, likewise, do not get into the safety of your vehicle until you’ve determined that it is truly safe.

At night you should use a flashlight to shine into the front, back and hatch. If someone was lying in wait, you’d surely see him. Too many people are counting on you for you to take the “it won’t happen to me” mindset.

If you are like most who travel away from your home during days of the week, it is inevitable that at some point you will stop for one necessary commodity or another. It may be for a tank of gas or a loaf of bread and a quart of milk. Many times these stops are impromptu or lightly anticipated at best. The desire is to get it done quickly and get back underway. It is this behavior as consumers that has given enormous rise to gas stations, quick-stops, convenience stores and the like that hawk everything from lottery tickets to Elvis t-shirts.

Criminal opportunists recognize these locations as a source of quick cash with minimal risks, with some facilities so fruitful that multiple robberies are common. With this is mind, there are some precautions that you can, and should implement if you are otherwise obligated to use one or more of these types of businesses.

–Inspect. Once reaching the decision to stop, inspect the surrounding area before exiting the relative safety of your vehicle. Look for signs of abnormal activity such as individuals loitering nearby particularly on the sides of the storefront overlooking the customer entrance. Many times a lookout or surveillant will post themselves in these locations. Be mindful of other vehicles stopped nearby. Watch for occupants in vehicles with engines idling or irregular parking patterns. Commit to entering only after you eliminated any outside threats.

–Inside. Before crossing the threshold of the store, take a cursory look for activity inside. If lack of windows restricts your viewing, this is accomplished by pausing momentarily at the entrance and peering around inside. Observe for the location of the cashier or other workers. Do things look and feel normal? Look for signs of duress or anxiety. Workers can give a feel for business as usual, and their outward disposition will often yield signs of normalcy or apprehensiveness. Monitor the situation for other patrons who may be present or for those entering after you. Stay alert and do not become distracted.

–Identify. Have a plan. Identify what it is that you need to purchase, locate it quickly and proceed to the cashier or checkout without lingering. Get what you need and stay no longer than necessary to complete your transaction. Moreover, just as you inspected the surrounding area before entering, the same is required of activities outside. If no threats are present, commit to walking outside and move in the most direct manner to your vehicle.

–Instinct. One of the most important tools that we possess that aids in our personal safety and security is instinct. Learn to trust it. If we sense something is not as it initially seems in particular when focused on reducing vulnerability to crimes of opportunity it is a good rule of thumb not to ignore it.

Too often convenience can lead to complacency. It is imperative that we adopt a mindset that allows us to maintain vigilance in all that we do. One manner of feeding this focus is by remaining abreast of social, political and economic realities within the environments we frequent. Crime will always manifest some degree of presence within our neighborhoods and society at large. Our goal is to anticipate its impact on personal safety and security and plan accordingly. Stay Safe!

One thing is certain, more and more Americans are encountering difficulty with finding high paying jobs while others struggle to make financial ends meet. Nevertheless, Americans are overwhelmingly resilient, repeatedly demonstrating the ability to rebound from troubling times, emerging stronger than before.

The unfortunate side to the predicament we are facing as a nation is the period of uncertainty. How long before our economy breaks free of its sluggish performance and picks up so folks can return to honest work and a sense of normalcy?

When viewing times such as these with the perspective on personal safety and security, it is understandable why vigilance is paramount. An unfortunate reality to consider is the inclination of social predators to sink even lower, becoming more audacious and brazen in their criminal behavior. It is often stated that “desperate times require desperate measures. This practice applies to both sides of the social spectrum. As the criminal element in our society begins to feel the affects of an economic slowdown and they will we should anticipate their move to seek out targets of opportunity and avoid becoming a victim.

Quick sources of cash are the most sought after. We should always assume that ATM machines are under surveillance by criminally minded individuals or even groups, hoping to cash in as you take cash out. For this reason, it is ill advised to use these bank instruments during darkness. Some other points to consider about ATMs:

–Machines should provide superb light and should be clear of any close objects that provide concealment to anyone nearby, nor should obstacles impede your ability to monitor your surroundings when withdrawing cash. If anything does not look or feel right, move on and find another location.

–Complete your transaction quickly and do not count your cash at the machine. Retrieve your cash, card and receipt if requested and move to a safe area. Typically, machines located inside businesses, such as shopping malls or grocery stores are safest. This is because there are usually more people present. The old adage safety in numbers applies. Least safe are those found in gas stations or roadside quick stops. These ATM should be avoided when at all possible

–ATMs that allow you to drive up and remain in the vehicle have advantages and disadvantages. As an advantage, they allow you to remain safe in your vehicle during the transaction. Pull up as close to the machine as possible. Ideally, this allows you to reach the keypad without leaning too far out of the window. The disadvantage is with visibility, which is obscured. There are numerous blindsides around your vehicle that could conceal someone’s approach. For this reason, all doors should remain locked and ensure you keep the engine running. As the computer is reviewing your account request, remain alert and monitor the immediate area for anyone moving toward you. Others in the vehicle with you can assist with observation. Remember, if you feel threatened, depart immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement.

Another instrument worthy of wise investment is the time it takes to develop the mental capital needed to master common sense approaches. We have all heard at one time or another that the solution to a particular problem is common sense. But what is common sense and how do we know if we truly possess it?

This unique reference to communal knowledge works its way into discussions about personal safety and security as well. For example, it’s just common sense not to open your door to a stranger. Common sense dictates that you don’t leave a firearm anywhere within reach of a child. Arguably, few adults would disagree with the logic of these statements. Unfortunately, each of these sound measures is violated repeatedly and often meets with tragic results. The problem can be traced to the failure to invest in mental capital and spending it to reach common sense solutions.

To understand the path to common sense, as a conscious undertaking is to acknowledge the requirement to analyze choices by weighing the near and long-term outcomes, e.g. to what extent will our decisions influence the nature of our environment. Simply stated, each challenge faced produces a unique set of circumstances, which may only be addressed in two manners the right way and the wrong way. Reaching the correct solution requires thinking through the problem and uncovering the positive or desired outcome.

Let’s return to the first common sense example. In most every instance, we choose correctly not to open our door to a stranger, recognizing the near-term threat to our safety and well-being. This decision is reached quickly since we have acquired the mental capital that when divested or spent calculates the risk involved. The common sense dividend is personal security.

In the second example, the potential for serious injury or death resulting from failure to secure a firearm in such a manner that precludes a curious child from handling it is another example of the benefit from analyzing decisions and the near and/or long-term impact. Firearms are one of many tools that may be selected to increase personal security. However, like any tool, firearms left unsecured where children are present pose unacceptable risks to serious injury or death. Upon thinking through the scenario it becomes clear a positive outcome demands storing the weapon in a safe and secure manner out of a child’s reach. Once again, we see the advantages of investing in mental capital. The common sense dividend is a safer environment for children.

In summary, common sense is the solution-based decision, which produces a positive outcome and is only arrived at through careful calculation and experience. Acquiring these sound skills and techniques through education and practice is a step in the right-direction to dividend growth that aids with increasing personal safety and security. Begin investing in your security today. Be Safe!

Most of us truly look forward to the year-end holiday celebrations but often dread the hectic pace that leads to them. Even the most affluent shopper will snatch up a bargain given the opportunity to do so. And so, it is the quest for that perfect gift that leads us into unfamiliar territory. Often times we drive enormous distances to a cross-town location that offers that last chance of having that one special gift remaining on the shelf or in-stock we never give a second thought that it is a part of the city that we infrequently visit. Thus, we venture onto unfamiliar turf.

This in and of itself is not reason enough to avoid the drive altogether, but it does require an understanding of the tools we possess that can aid our security in these instances. Remember your mobile safe haven? Just as we acknowledged the importance of returning to your vehicle in the safest and direct manner, it is equally important to survey the surrounding area before stepping from it.

After arriving at your destination, spend a few moments in the relative safety of your vehicle and decompress from having just shared the highway with highly motivated bargain hunters like yourself. Use this time to gather your thoughts and plan your movement to the building you will need to enter. Also, be watchful for the surrounding norms things that seem as likely occurrences. Scrutinize the areas you will need to cross through to reach your destination. Once you have determined that the area appears safe, then and only then should you unlock your door and proceed to make the purchase that will put a smile on the face of someone special.

Holiday shopping can be a joy. It also is a time to recall our blessings and give thanks for our relative safety and security. Enjoy the spirit and Be Safe!

Light At Night

All too often we try to find the parking place closest to the store. However that is not necessarily the safest place. Most parking lots are (or should be) well lit. If at all possible, park next to the light post. This serves three useful purposes. First, it will give you a reference point when returning to your vehicle. Secondly, it will provide illumination for you to quickly and safely enter your vehicle; and lastly, any would-be attackers do not want to be seen. They are far less likely to target a vehicle under a light.

Back In Drive Out

Sure it may be easier to pull into a parking space; however it’s safer to back in. Take few extra moments back in so that your departure will be quick and effortless. If you encounter anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in the parking lot, you want to proceed to your vehicle, lock the doors and exit the premises as quickly as possible; backing in allows you to do so.

In Open Air, Remember Where

Whether in a shopping mall or mega store with multiple entrances, it’s easy to become preoccupied on your way out of the store. Prior to entering the building, make a mental note of your parking space and its relation to the door you enter. If you don’t exit through the same door you’ll not only have a harder time locating your vehicle, but you’ll also increase your vulnerability since you will likely have a longer trek to your vehicle. The shortest route between two points is a straight line, albeit avoiding obstacles and threat areas. If you find yourself having to walk around the side of the building in order to return to your origination point, you are more likely to become preoccupied with locating your vehicle – a major distraction that lowers your vigilance to the surrounding area.

Ignore Bad Manners

We have all experienced a greedy driver ’snake’ into the parking space you were patiently waiting for.  No doubt that it is frustrating. However rather than escalate your blood pressure over it, take a deep breath and simply look for another parking place. Odds are the spot you were waiting for wasn’t near a light post or wouldn’t have afforded you the opportunity to back into it easily. Rather than let it rob you of your joy, move on and look for a better more suitable parking spot.  Be Safe!